Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Inspection report children’s home: SC401927 1 SC401927 Registered provider: Benecare Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a limited company. It provides care and accommodation for up to four children who have learning disabilities. The home’s stated purpose is to provide a safe, homely environment for children who have challenging behaviour, which includes children who have an autism spectrum disorder. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since November 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 11 September 2018

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness. A medication error occurred because of ineffective communication between the staff. Staff quickly sought medical attention for the child, which confirmed no harm occurred as a result of the medication error. The registered manager’s investigation into this incident resulted in a change of protocol for administering medication. Staff now have clear guidance and a visual chart to follow when administering medication. Care plans and risk assessments are clear. They show the children’s starting points and give clear goals. Key-work records are linked to targets and cover ad hoc issues as they arise. However, not all records are signed and dated. As a result, it is unclear if all staff have read and understood them. Inspection report children’s home: SC401927 2 The children have made some progress. One child is taking greater steps towards

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

independence. The staff are realistic about the child’s potential and ensure that he has opportunities to explore freedom on a continuum of clearly assessed risk. Another child is more able to manage his emotions and has enjoyed positive visits to his family for overnight stays. Two new children are living at the home. Careful planning ensured that those already living at the home were prepared for their arrival. A slight increase in incidents occurred as the children adapted to this change. However, plans for building relationships between the children soon reduced this. Education is positively promoted. Staff have made positive working relationships with the schools and colleges. Staff from the home supported a child in school to enable him to access education. As a result of the support the child received, his attendance has improved and he is making progress. Staff are vigilant. Safeguarding is a priority and records such as body maps and

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

chronologies are used effectively to record safeguarding concerns. Staff exercise professional curiosity and have followed up concerns with the children’s schools and social workers. This is a good example of effective interagency working.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/09/2018 Full Good 22/05/2018 Full Inadequate 13/02/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/09/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good

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Recommendations

 Regulations 35-39 detail the records that must be kept in children’s homes. All children’s case records (regulation 36) must be kept up to date and stored securely whilst they remain in the home. Case records must be kept up to date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3) Inspection report children’s home: SC401927 3

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the children’s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 113a St Johns Hill, Sevenoaks TN13 3PE

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Stephen Richmond

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Inspector

Sarah Olliver, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC401927 4 achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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